Abstract: An installation for depositing a shaped filled roving intended to be used to manufacture a composite-material component, includes a device for feeding a fibrous roving impregnated with a composition including a binder and ceramic or carbon fillers, a die for shaping and draining the binder defined by at least one porous surface, the die having an evolving section between an inlet section and an outlet section, the inlet section being larger than the outlet section, a support in communication with the die outlet on which the shaped roving is to be deposited, and a first conveying device configured to convey the roving from the feed device through the die and to the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing optical fibers, comprising: a pair of pulleys (1, 2) arranged to receive in a space between them a first optical fiber element (4), and a drive mechanism. In order to obtain a device capable of efficiently and reliably processing optical fibers the first pulley (1) in the pair of pulleys comprises a circumferential first groove (5) in a circumferential contact surface (6) for receiving the first optical fiber element (4), the first groove (5) being shaped to accommodate the first optical fiber element (4) such that less than half of the cross sectional surface area of the first optical fiber element (4) protrudes out of the first groove (5), and a second pulley (2) in the pair of pulleys comprises a circumferential contact surface (7) contacting a surface of the first optical fiber element (4).

Abstract: A die and method for impregnating at least one fiber roving with a polymer resin are disclosed. In one embodiment, the die includes an impregnation section including an impregnation zone configured to impregnate the roving with the resin, the impregnation zone including a plurality of contact surfaces. The die further includes a perturbation positioned on at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces, the perturbation configured to interact with the roving. In one embodiment, the method includes coating a fiber roving with a polymer resin. The method further includes traversing the coated roving through an impregnation zone to impregnate the roving with the resin. The impregnation zone includes a plurality of contact surfaces. The method further includes interacting the coated roving with a perturbation positioned on at least one of the plurality of contact surfaces.

Abstract: A heating device includes a high-frequency electrode embedded substantially in parallel with a heating surface of a ceramics base in the vicinity of the heating surface. A conducting hole toward this high-frequency electrode is formed in a back face of the ceramics base. This high-frequency electrode has a trapezoidal cone-like concave section toward the conducting hole at a region opposed to the conducting hole.

Abstract: An opening and resin-impregnation apparatus is used for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle (2) with a molten resin. The fiber bundle (2) is subjected to opening by bringing it into contact with opening pins (4). An auxiliary pin (5) is positioned within a specific region relative to the opening pin. The apparatus and a method which makes use of the apparatus permit the production of a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composite material having excellent impregnation characteristics and flexural strength while maintaining high stable productivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a gel onto a sheet of material for production of disposable undergarments, the sheet moving in a predetermined direction of manufacture at a predetermined rate of travel, the apparatus comprising: a container positioned to contain a supply of the gel; a shoe comprising a body having a lower surface, a proximal end positioned to receive the sheet of material as the sheet travels in the predetermined direction of manufacture, and a distal end, an inlet conduit positioned within the body to receive the gel therein, a chamber connected to the inlet conduit and positioned within the body, a groove extending along the lower surface of the proximal end of the body and a plurality of spaced-apart outlet conduits each extending from the chamber to the groove so that the gel is delivered onto the sheet of material in a pattern of substantially parallel lines; and a gel delivery controller positioned in fluid communication with the container and with the shoe, for providing a variably controlle

Abstract: This invention describes improved apparatus and methods for spin-on deposition of semiconductor thin films. The improved apparatus provides for controlled temperature, pressure and gas compositions within the deposition chamber. The improved methods comprise dispensing of solutions containing thin film precursor via a moveable dispensing device and the careful regulation of the pattern of deposition of the precursor solution onto the wafer. The invention also comprises the careful regulation of deposition variables including dispensation time, wafer rpm, stop time and rates of wafer rotation. In one embodiment, the precursor solution is dispensed from the outer edge of the wafer toward the center. In alternative embodiments, processors regulate the movement of the dispensing arm and the precursor pump to provide an evenly dispensed layer of precursor solution. The invention also describes improved methods for evaporating solvents and curing thin films.

Abstract: A system and method for impregnating a continuous fiber strand with a heated polymer melt involves the introduction of a polymer melt into a cavity and the routing the fiber strand through the cavity so the fiber is exposed to the polymer melt introduced therein. The strand is scrubbed as it is moved though the cavity so that the polymer melt is pressed against and blended within the fiber strand. The scrubbing action is effected by a rotating scrubber assembly mounted for rotation relative to the cavity about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of smooth-surfaced pins arranged in a spaced, substantially circular arrangement about the rotation axis and so that the longitudinal axes of the pins are generally parallel to one another. The direction of movement of the pins along the fiber strand corresponds generally with the direction of movement of the strand through the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating fibrous strands with plastic material as matrix material including: an impregnating core having an outer limiting surface; an impregnating shell defining a cavity therein having an inner limiting surface, the impregnating shell completely enveloping the impregnating core and being disposed with respect to the impregnating core such that the limiting surfaces together define an impregnating channel therebetween, the limiting surfaces concentrically enclosing the impregnating channel along a joint symmetry axis such that the impregnating channel has a ring-shaped cross section in a plane transverse to the joint symmetry axis, the ring-shaped cross section having an outside dimension which diminishes by stages in a flow direction for the impregnation, feeding channels for the fibrous strands and the matrix material being defined at an intake side of the impregnating channel and a discharge opening for impregnated fibrous strands being defined at an exit side of the impregnating chan

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a low-cost, single-step method of in-line coating of pultrusion profiles to eliminate surface degradation of pultruded profiles due to outdoor exposure or corrosive attack. The method comprises pulling a combination of reinforcing fibers and resin through a pultrusion die to form a pultruded part, applying a coating to the pultruded part after it exits the pultrusion die and curing the coating on the coated pultruded part. The apparatus contains a pultrusion die for forming a pultruded part of a predetermined shape, a coating die with an exit area generally greater than the inlet area, a coating chamber located between the entrance and exit area of the coating die for applying a coating to the pultruded part, and a curing element for curing the coating on the pultruded part after it exits the coating die.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a sheet-prepreg reinforced with fibers wherein a sheet of fibers such as warp or woven fibers such as fabrics is conveyed between a pair of band belts one of which is coated with a film of thermoplastic resin which has been heated higher than its softening point to enhance resin-impregnating efficiency and prevent the impregnated resin from contacting air. Further, when the sheet of fibers or woven fibers is conveyed in this manner, the molten resin is not maintained on the manufacturing line, thereby preventing it from being deteriorated by heat. The apparatus can be thus kept under operation for a long time and the sheet-prepreg reinforced with the fibers can be made much higher in quality and the deterioration of the impregnated resin can be further delayed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method were developed for providing a uniform, consolidated, unidirectional, continuous, fiber-reinforced polymeric material. The apparatus comprises a supply means, a forming means, a shaping means, and a take-up means. The forming means further comprises a pre-melting chamber and a stationary bar assembly. The shaping means is a loaded cooled nip-roller apparatus. Forming takes place by heating a polymeric prepreg material to a temperature where the polymer becomes viscous and applying pressure gradients at separate locations along the prepreg material. Upon exiting the forming means, the polymeric prepreg material is malleable, consolidated and flattened. Shaping takes place by passing the malleable, consolidated, flattened prepreg material through a shaped, matched groove in a loaded, cooled nip-roller apparatus to provide the final solid product.

Abstract: A pultrusion machine employing a corrugated impregnator vessel to immerse multiple, continuous strand, fiber tow in an impregnating material, and an adjustable metered exit orifice for the impregnator vessel to control the quantity of impregnating material retained by the impregnated fibers, is provided. An adjustable height insert retains transverse rod elements within each depression of the corrugated vessel to maintain the individual fiber tows spread and in contact with the vessel bottom. A series of elongated heating dies, transversely disposed on the pultrusion machine and having flat heating surfaces with radiused edges, ensure adequate temperature exposed dwell time, and exert adequate pressure on the impregnated fiber tows, to provide the desired thickness and fiber/resin ratio in the prepreg formed. The prepreg passing through the pulling mechanism is wound on a suitable take-up spool for subsequent use. A formula is derived for determining the cross sectional area opening of the metering device.

Abstract: A doctor for the application of fluent material to a substrate (8), such as a material web has a pressing part (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the application apparatus (application width), which comprises a working edge (30) passing over the application width (7), an actuator on the pressing part (3) along the working edge (30) and movable by means of a magnetic field, comprising at least one electromagnet and/or permament magnet (20), which together with the pressing part (3) forms a pressing unit (4).

Abstract: A film coater apparatus applies an ultraviolet light curable coating to the opposite side of filmstrips in which the filmstrip is initially supported at one end on a plastic leader, includes a coater formed with complementary leader guiding passageways in the opposite side walls of the coater which guide the leader through the coater in non-contacting relation to the offset coater applicator rolls and to the smoother bars so that coating material is not built-up on the leader. The coater apparatus is self-threading and includes an inlet drive roll, an ultraviolet light curing chamber, and an outlet drive pinch roll assembly which serves to grip the leader and thereafter to grip and drive the filmstrips through the coater. The outlet pinch rolls provide a draw or tension to the film to assure the desired delivery of the filmstrips through the coater and in contacting relation to the coating and smoothing elements therein.

Abstract: A device for supplying gases to a perforated vessel, particularly a boat or boats for processing semiconductor elements by their exposure to the gases, comprises at least one tubular perforated gas manifold disposed under the perforated part of the boat and supported on a manifold raiser. The vessel is supported on two cylindrical support members which closely abut the boat and the manifolds which in turn abut the manifold raiser along the working length of the boat and the supporting members. A relatively small gas expansion cavity is thereby created between the manifold(s) and the boat which improves the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Reinforcing fiber materials such as rovings, webbings, and other fiber maials are impregnated with a resinous binder material in such a manner that gaseous inclusions are avoided whereby a surprising increase in the strength of the fiber compound material is achieved. For this purpose the liquid resinous binder material is applied substantially only to one side of the reinforcing material which is then moved through an absorbing zone in which the liquid resinous binder material penetrates the reinforcing material substantially completely as a result of a predetermined residence time and temperature in the absorbing zone. Gas inclusions are removed by adsorption and/or by expulsion. The gas adsorbing and expulsion zone is a chamber in which a plurality of guide rollers are arranged so as to cause the impregnated material to repeatedly reverse its moving direction, whereby the sequential and repeated penetration of the reinforcing material by the resinous material and the removal of gas inclusions are enhanced.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with enabling the use of multiple liquid adhesive nozzles principally to provide continuous uniform adhesive layers, particularly in relatively small items such as cigarette filter tips or the like, wherein a critically oriented adhesive shear surface adjacent the nozzles causes the plurality of adhesive beads simultaneously deposited by the nozzles to merge into a full, continuous, uniform coating, and with additional control features provided to control the degree of merger from separate adjacent beads to uniform merged coating.

Abstract: Coating a porous substratum with a viscous substance is performed by means of a rotatable cylindrical sieve (plain-mesh screen), comprising an internal squeegee for pressing said substance through the perforations of the screen. The substratum are passed in contact with the screen and is supported at the contact zone by a roller. Although the peripheral speeds of the screen and the substratum is substantially equal, the rotational speed of the support roller is such, that its peripheral speed is either smaller or greater than that of the substratum to an extent of at least 5%. This avoids the occurrence of the phenomenon of pinhole formation in the coated substratum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating textile cord on a continuous basis where the cord is sequentially treated by application of aqueous solution passed through a squeeze roll station, passed through a pull roll station and then to a drying operation. The applied liquid is additionally removed from the cord by specially positioned and designed elastomeric squeeges located in the squeeze roll area and the pull roll area.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying liquid to a yarn in which the direction of travel of the wetted yarn is changed to an extent effective to cause excess liquid to be ejected into a space adjacent the yarn by failing to wholly make said change in direction of travel with the yarn. A preferred apparatus includes a pair of slotted plates. A slot in one plate effects the required change in direction of travel while the other plate provides a collecting surface for the ejected liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating composition onto a moving web especially a paper web, in which an excess of said coating composition is applied to said web. The web thereafter passes smoothing means to uniformly regulate the final thickness of the coating and simultaneously to remove the excess coating composition. This smoothing operation is performed under an adjustable partial vacuum. The removed excess coating composition is recirculated without being mixed with the coating composition within the application area and is mixed with fresh coating composition before reuse within the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing tape comprising a fabric medium impregnated with a plaster and adhesive slurry which is activated upon immersion in an adhesive-containing solution. The activated tape is used to join and seal joints of conduit and to encase insulated conduit. Methods and apparatus for making the tape are also disclosed.